Anthony Weiner (Photo: Getty)

Mayor Michael Bloomberg isn't finished lecturing the press about their coverage of former Congressman Anthony Weiner. In fact, New York's mayor is so frustrated, he'll kvetch on the topic unprompted. Indeed, Mr. Bloomberg began his weekly radio interview this morning by answering an unrelated question with complaints about Mr. Weiner and the Fourth Estate.

"Look, the press is talking about Weiner, and not his policies but his--you know," he replied to the inquiry about Council Speaker Christine Quinn's transportation proposal, proceeding to pooh-pooh the plan as unrealistic. "At least Quinn has got some ideas ... At least she's talking about something--policy--and something that's important about the city."

 Mr. Bloomberg then noted that former Comptroller Bill Thompson--who, like Ms. Quinn, is campaigning for mayor--has been talking about something more important than Mr. Weiner as well.

"Incidentally, I saw Bill Thompson yesterday, has a plan on crime. If you remember a few weeks ago, I was screaming that they weren't talking about [it]," the mayor recalled, adding that he might disagree with Mr. Thompson's proposal as well. "Whatever it is, he's talking about substance. That's what we need."

Fundamentally, and this might be a message for the New York Post, Mr. Bloomberg suggested that more than one innuendo-laced pun with Mr. Weiner's name is simply too much.

"One joke is fine," he contended. "After that, let's get serious about this."

(Photo: Facebook)

Earlier today, the New York State Republican Party employed a sexual innuendo in its push for Governor Andrew Cuomo to reform so-called unfunded mandates, which require local governments to contribute to state social programs without the funding for them, so that local tax relief can be passed on to struggling municipalities.

"So Governor, How big is your mandate relief package?" the party asked in a Facebook image featuring Mr. Cuomo making a rather suggestive gesture indicating a small object.

The rest of the Facebook post focused on the substance of the issue rather than ribald humor, linking to a press release signed by a host of Republican county executives and declaring, “Unfunded mandates are crushing New York's counties. Yesterday, 11 County Executives released a joint statement calling for mandate relief. Your move, Governor Cuomo."

Politicker reached out to the State GOP spokesman David Laska to ask about the PG-13 joke and he said the humor was "absolutely" a "great way to get our message out."

"The solutions are there but what's missing is a leader who can do anything about it," Mr. Laska said, stressing the importance of Mr. Cuomo heeding Republican and Democratic calls to reform the state's local mandates.

We also inquired as to whether there might be some unintended irony in making the joke, as the State Republican Party is headed by a man named "Ed Cox."

"I'm going to leave that one to you, Colin," Mr. Laska replied.

Jumaane Williams (Photo: Facebook)

Jumaane Williams made the best April Fool's day prank we've seen so far this year from any New York politician . The Brooklyn Council member, who has emerged as a sharp critic of the Bloomberg administration since being elected in 2009, issued a prank statement today announcing he was "signed by the New York Knicks to a ten day contract." Mr. William's press release claimed he was asked to join the team "shortly following the announcement that starting point guard Jeremy Lin would be out for the remainder of the regular season."

"It will be far easier to win an NBA championship than to convince Mayor Bloomberg to restore budget cuts to our youth and seniors," Mr. Williams said. "The Garden may be missing 'Linsanity' over the next several weeks, but I hope to bring some 'Jumaanity' of my own."

In his statement Mr. Williams noted the fact he has been "a Knicks fan my entire life."

"Any way that I can help our push to the playoffs will be extra special," Ms. Williams said.

Mr. Williams concluded his statement by admitting it was an April Fool's day joke.

"Happy April Fool's Day, New York City!" he said.